Timer cap



l. ,Il

Nqv. 1,8, 1924 1,515,790

N. B. PARSONS TIMER CAP Filed March 8, 1920 lil Patented Nov. 1.8, 1924.

UNITED STATESl PATENT OFFICE i NEWELL B. PARSONS, OF LA GRANGE,ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO JOHN W. OLSON, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

TIMER CA?.

Application led March 8, 1920.

To f/,ZZ whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, NnwnLL B. PARSONS, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of the city of La Grange, county of Cook, and State ofIllinois, have invented certain new and useful 'Improvements in TimerCaps, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in timer caps and is of particularvalue in connection with timer caps such as are used on Fords, theignition circuits of which are so arranged that the low tension currentcoming from the battery or the magneto is interrupted and alsodistributed through a series of relatively stationary contacts inconjunction with a revolving brush, said contacts, however, beingcapable of a limited amount of angular adjustment around the axis ofrotation of the brush to enable the spark to be advanced or retarded asoccasion requires.

The principal objects of the invention are to provide improved means forenclosing the electrical connections in order to prevent shortcircuiting; to provide improved means for positioning in the cap of thetimer a member which supports a series of contacts over which the brushtravels; to provide improved means for housing the end of the cable andthe individual wires leading therefrom to the contact connections; toprovide a construction which shall be simple in design and economical tomanu facture. while being etiicient in operation and inexpensive tomaintain, and keep in repair, and in general to provide an improvedtimer construction of the character referred to.

rlhe invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanyingdrawings forming a part. of this specification, and in which,

Fig. 1, is a top plan view of my invention,

Fig. 2, is a sectional view taken on substantially line 2 2 of Fig. l,and

Fig. 3, a sectional view taken on substantially line 33 of Fig. 1.

In the use of timers or commutators, a cap is provided into whichproject wires respectively leading to the low tension sides of the sparkcoils, the high tension windings of which are respectively connected tothe spark plugs of the engine. Great difficulty has been experiencedWith the use of the itself.

Serial No. 364,028.

timer cap now in use, for the reason thatthe connection at the terminalpost, which is secured in the timer cap itself, often becomes loose andcauses an irregular delivery of electric current to the spark plug. Inmy invention a more positive connection is made between the terminalpost used in the timer cap and the wire leading therefrom. To accomplishthis I provide a timer cap 6, which is provided, adjacent its rim, witha flange 7. Projecting vertically from the flange 7 is a flange 8.Formed in thc flange 7 is a circumferential groove 9. Formed upon thecap are bosses 10, each of which is provided with a recess 11. A fibreor insulating ring 12 is provided, in which is imbedded, at intervals,contact blocks or plugs 13, these plugs extending inwardly relatively tothe ring so as to lie flush with the inner surfaceV of the ring Terminalposts 14 are projected through passages formed in the cap 6 and threadedinto the members 13. Engaging in the groove 9 is a cable 15, in whichthe wires 16 which connect with the spark plugs of the engine areinsulated. Communicat ing with the recess 11 and with the groove 9 is anupwardly inclined passage 17, in which one end of the wire 16 isprojected. The extreme end of the wire 16, which is free frominsulation, is securely clamped against the insulating cap (i by meansof the terminal 14: which is constructed in the form of a screw havingari enlarged head on one end. Anr extension 19 is mounted upon themember G, and preferably made integral therewith, which forms a passagefor the cable 15.

My invention is designed for use with gasoline engines, tractors,acroplanes and automobiles, and principally those of the Ford type, thecap 6 being adapted for use with a timer or commutator rordinarily used.The timer may be rocked on a motor casing by means of a lug 23 which hasan opening 211 through which the pin of an actuating rod or link may beinserted. An arm 21 is rigidly mounted upon the forward end of the timershaft 20, and at the free end of the arm 21 a roller 22 is secured,which is adapted to contact with the inner surface of the ring 12 andalso with the contact blocks 13 when passing overy the point in the ringto which the same are secured.

My invention resides principally in providing the inclined passage 17 inthe boss 10, so as to provide a means for securing the end of the member16 in close connection with the member' 14; by looping` the samel aroundthe upper end thereof and then clamping the looped end against themember 6. With the timer caps as noiv in use, the end 1G of the Wirewhich connects 'the terminal post With the spark plus; lies in thegroove 9 and is looped around the pest le at that portion of the postwhich projects through the groove 9. The Wire is then soldered to thepost and the connection thus established. In use, however, this solderedconnection becomes broken and the wire lo is permitted to vibrate on themember lll, and at intervals no connection is established between themember la and the Wire 1G. By securely clamping the Wire against themember lll in the manner already described, a positive connection isestablished at all times, and a more efficient structure results.

The cap is preferably made of a phenol condensation or other suitabledielectric and is formed by moldingthe same to tue necessary shape. Byconstructing the cap in this manner and from this material, a simple andeconomical cap is provided.

lVhile I have illustrated and described the preferred form ofconstruction for carrying` my invention into effect, this is capable ofvariation and modification without departing from the spirit of theinvention. I, therefore, do not Wish to be limited 'to the precisedetails of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of suchvariations and modifications as come ivithin the scope of the appendedclaims.

Having described my invention, vrhat I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent is l. A device of the class described cornprisina acupshaped cap; a flange formed on said cap adjacent the rim havingagroove therein; and a passage for the inser tion of a terminal post,there being a passage connecting' said lgroove with said terminal postpassage, substantially as described.

2. In a timer, a cap having a groove formed therein; an insulator ring;contact members on said ring; terminal posts engagging' said contactmembers; and Wires leading through inclined passages from said groove tothe outer ends of said terminals, substantially as described.

3. In a timer, a cap having a ,groove pro-- vided with outwardlyinclined passages leading to terminal posts in said cap; and a cabledisposed in said groove and having Wires leading; through said passagesto said terminal posts, substantially as described.

4. In a` timer, a cap having` a groove; and a boss on said cap having arecess therein, there being an inclined passage connecting,`

' recesses in said bosses iviith said groove, substantially asdescribed.

b. In a timer, a cap molded from a dielectric, and having a groovetherein; a boss on said cap having;` a recess therein, there being` apassage in said cap connecting said recess with said `groove,substantially as de* scribed.

7. In a timer, a cup-shaped cap having a groove and inclined passagesleadingl from the groove, an insulatingl ring); adjacent said groove,spaced metallic contact plates in said ring, terminal posts having,rtheir inner ends engaging said contacts, and Wires leadingl from a cablein said `groove and through the inclined passages in said cap to theouter end of each of the terminal posts, substantially as described.

8. In a timer, a cap having a groove formed therein; an insulator ring;contact `members mounted in said ring; terminal posts having' theirinner ends threaded into said contact members; and wires leading throughinclined passages from said groove to the outer ends of said terminalsand bcingr clamped thercbencath.

In a timer of the class described, the combinaltion of a hollow caphavingv an open end and a closed end. an insulator track memberinsertable and removable through the open end ofthe cap, contactscarried by said track member, and track fastenings carried by the capand detachably connected with the ltrack member and operable at theerterior of the cap for disconnecting the fastenings from the trackmember.

l0. In a timer of the class described, the combination of a liolloiv caphaving; an open end and a closed end. the open end having; a concentriccylindrical flange constituting' a rotary bearing member for the cap. aninsulator track member insel table and removable through the open end ofthe cap and lying' against the closed end thereof, contacts carried bysaid track member, and track fastenines carried by the cap anddetachably connected with the track member and operable at the exteriorof the cap for disconnectino` the fastcnings from the track member.

ll. .In a timer of thi` class descril'ied. 'the combination of a hollowcap body having; an open end and a yclosed end, an insifllator 'trackmcmbe' inscrtable and removable tlnouah the open end of the cap,contacts carried by said track member, and track fasteninjrs extending'through lthe cap body and detachably connected with the track formaintaining the latter in place, said fastenl ings being operable at theexterior of the cap tor disconnecting the tastenings 'from the trackmember.

12. A timer ycomprising a body provided in its inner tace with a grooveand also with a circular flange projecting at the inner tace ot the bodyand oultside ot the groove, the body having a series ot passages extend-`ing from the outer face ot the body and intersecting the groove, theouter end or" each passage being enlarged, a. ring within the circularange and against the. inner tace of the body, contact members embeddedin the ring and tlush with the inner periphery oit' 'the ring, headedterminals extending through the passages and connected with therespective contacts, the heads of the terminals lying in the enlargedouter ends oit the passage, there being a branch passage leading fromthe groove to the enlarged outer end portion ot each ot the lirsltmentioned passages, and conductors lying in the groove, the terminal oteach conductor eX- tending through one of the branch passages andengaged with one ot the terminals and clamped between the head thereofand the vback ot the enlarged portion ot the adjacent passage.

13. A timer comprising a body provided in its inner tace with a groove,passages in tersecting the groove and terminating in enlargements at theouter tace of the body, headed terminals extending through the passagesand through the groove, branch passages leading trom the groove to theenlarged outer end of each of the first mentioned passages, andconductors lying in the groove, the terminal ot each condudtor ei;-tending through one ot the branch passages and engaged with one ot theterminals and clamped between the head ot the latter and the back walloit lthe enlarged portion ot the passage.

lll. A timer comprising a body provided in its inner tace with a groove,a series oi. bosses on the outer -tace of the body and in alignment withthc groove, the body being provided with passages extending through thebosses and intersecting the groove, the outer end ot each passage`teri'ninating` in au enlargement at the outer la'ce of the adjacentboss, the body also being provided with a branch passage extendingthrough each boss and leading lrom the groove to the enlarged passageportion in the boss, headed terminals extending through the passageswith their heads in the enlarged portions thereof, and conductors lyingin the groove, the terminal of each conductor extending through one ofthe branch passages and being engaged with the adjacent terminal memberand clamped between lthe head thereof and the back ot the enlargedportion of the passage.

15. A timer cap, comprising cap body provided in its under tace with agroove, a depending circular liange outside oit the groove, there beinga series ot open topped terminal-passages extending downwardly throughthe cap and intersecting the groove, the top of each terminal passageand the groove being connected by a branch passage, a removable ring ottinsulating material lying against the botitom face of thel cap andclosing the groove, a series ot contact elements embedded in the ringand flush with the inner periphery the-reet, Lfastenings securing thecontacts with lthe ring, headed terminals in the terminal-passages andhaving their heads at the. outer ends ot said passages and said headsbeing accessible at the top ot the cap, the lower ends of lthe headedterminals being screw threaded into the respective contacts and securingthe ring to the cap, and conductors lying in the groove, the terminalportion of each conductor extending through the branch passage and intoengagement with the adjacentheaded lterminals and clamped between thehead thereofv and the cap.

16. A timer cap, comprising a cap member, an insulating ring member atthe bottom oit the cap member and carrying a series of contacts, one otsaid members having an annular'groove, a series ot headed terminalsextending downwardly through the cap and intersecting the groove andconnected with the respective contacts, the heads ot the said terminalsbeing accessible at the top ot the cap, there being a branch grooveleading trom the annular groove to the head ot each terminal, andconductors lying in the groove, the terminal portion of each conductoreX- tending through one ot the branch passages to the adjacent terminalmember and clamped between the head ot the terminal member and the cap.

17. A timer cap, comprising a cap bod),l provided with an outwardlydirected peripheral flange at the base ot the cap, a cylindrical 'flangedej'iending from the 'first mentioned Hange, the bottom 'lace ot thefirst mentioned 'flange having an annular groove provided with a lateralentrance, an insulatingring fitting the interior ot the cylindricalflange and closing the open bottom ot the groove, the cylindrical:flange projecting below the ring and constituting a rotary bearingmember lor the cap, a series oi contacts embedded in and secured to thering and lying between the latter and the bottom of the cap and alsoflush with the inner periphery of the ring, each contact underlying thegroove of the cap, headed terminal members extending downwardly throughthe tirst mentioned flange and through the groove and having screwthreaded connections with the respective contacts, the head ot eachterminal member being accessible at the top ot' the i'irst mentionedflange, there being a branch. passage leading 'from the groove to thehead cl" each terminal rnei'iiber, and conductors lying in the groeveand ez;- tending through the entre; portion thereol, the terminal oleach conductor extending through one oit the branch passages and clampedbetween the head ci the adjz'tcent tern'iinal and a portion ot the tiretmentioned flange.

18. In a timer ol1 the combination oli a holler: D an end a closed end7an insel tor b ack member insertalgile and removable through the openend et the cap, contacts carried by said track member, anddisconnectible lastenings for securing 'the track member to the cap,said tastenings capable et c '.sconnection Without displacing` thecontacts and also operable at the exterior et the cap for disconnectingthe astenings from the tracl; meinN ber.

19. In a timer of the combination ott a hollow end and a closed end,member insertable and the open end ot the cap, contacts carried by saidtrack member, and binding posts asseciated with the contacts andprojecting if n the back of the tracl; member tcivar the closed end ofthe capn there being a space back of the track inemlgier to receiveconductors leading to the binding pests, said can having an entranceopening leading to the said space.

20. In a timer, the combination of a rotary timer shaft, a hollow caohaving an open end and a closed end and enclosing the end o'l" saidshaft, a brush carried by said shaft7 a track of insulating materialhaving contacts permanently embedded therein and engageable successivelyby the brush as the latter' class described, the cap liaving an open an:insulator track removable through rotates with the shalt, said tra 1libeing inand admit said cable, and binding posts projecting from thebaci: of the track for detachably connecting the ends of said conductorsto said contacts.

2l. In a timer, the combination of a rotary timer slia'lit, a hollen caphaving an open end and closed end and enclosing the outer end or saidsha'lft, a brash carried by said shaft, a track unit olf insulatingmaterial having contacts permanently embedded therein, said unit beinginsertable through the open end of the cap and removably' seated againstthe end ott the cap, said contacts being engageable successively by thebrush as the latter rotates with the shaft, a cable including a set o'lfcondiiictors Yfor leading cnrrent 'from said contacts to the sparkingde' vices7 there being space between the closed end of the cap and thetrack unit for receiving said conductors, the cap also being ap-Veratnred to receive and admit said cable, and

screws projecting from the back of the track nnit and threaded into backportions et said contacts and having heads 1ander which the ends of saidconductors are clamped.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the`presence oi two subscribing Witnesses.

NEIVELL B. PARSONS. fitnesses MARY E. KEARNEY, BROWER MURPHY.

